What Happened
A group of lawmakers from the Vamos coalition in Panama’s National Assembly has filed a criminal complaint against Comptroller General Anel Flores over the suspension of pay for 40 employees who were placed on unpaid leave without having requested it.
The complaint accuses Flores of abuse of authority, ideological falsification and usurpation. It was submitted on behalf of a group of public workers, most of them assigned to the offices of the lawmakers involved.
Why the Complaint Was Filed
According to the lawmakers, the Comptroller General’s Office placed the workers on “license without pay” without the employees having filed any prior request. Roberto Zúñiga said the comptroller’s actions are illegal and amount to an abuse of power, adding that the measure is meant to pressure the Vamos bancada because of its criticism of Flores’ management.
Janine Prado said the actions violate the rights of the affected workers and argued that the situation is taking place with the approval of Assembly president Jorge Herrera.
The Legal Basis Cited
The filing states that the comptroller acted arbitrarily by ordering unpaid leave for Legislative Branch workers without authority to do so. The lawmakers argue that the decision has harmed the employees by depriving them of salaries and labor benefits.
As part of the evidence, the complaint cites a Human Resources Department note from the Assembly indicating that the workers did not submit leave requests under the rules of Law 12 of 1998, which governs the Legislative Service Career.
The complaint also references Resolution 178 of June 30, 2010, which sets out the procedure for requesting unpaid leave. That process requires an employee to submit a request at least 30 days in advance to the president of the Assembly and notify a direct supervisor.
Broader Context
The dispute adds to tensions between the Comptroller General’s Office and lawmakers from Vamos, who have been among Flores’ most vocal critics. It also highlights the legal and administrative friction surrounding personnel decisions inside Panama’s National Assembly, especially when they affect pay and employment status.
The lawmakers further allege that Flores generated unpaid-leave requests and resolutions approving them without the consent of the workers, which they say constitutes ideological falsification.